All right, 168 Hours readers. 18 months ago I posted a query seeking stories of people who did a lot with their time for 168 Hours. Now I’m seeking stories of people who do a lot with their money for my next book, tentatively called “Plenty.” (Would it be too cute to make the subtitle “You have more money than you think?”)
Here’s the gist: like time, few people think they have enough money. Unlike time, we do not all have the same amount of money, but certainly compared to, oh, the history of humanity, book-buying Americans are doing pretty well. When we move beyond general personal finance tomes talking about how to get out of debt, or save retirement, where does that thought experiment lead? How can money be used as a tool to build the best life possible for both you and other people?
I am seeking inspiring money stories. Perhaps you have:
- Built up a “freedom fund” which has enabled you to quit a job and launch your dream career, or reshape the job you have (I don’t like the idea of retiring!)
- Engineered an amazing experience : the perfect day, the perfect week, traveled somewhere wonderful or pulled something creative off your List of 100 Dreams
- Changed someone else’s life for the better (through a significant non-profit gift, or more intriguingly — directly)
How did you find the funds to do these things? I’m particularly interested in people who did so by making slightly different choices than the norm (forgoing the diamond engagement ring? Living in a cottage? Moonlighting or selling stuff via Etsy?) Please send me an email at lvanderkam at yahoo dot com and we’ll set up a time to talk.
As a condition of being in the book, I need to use real names and real details. I would also like to use these stories in other media outlets where I will write about these topics over the next 18 months (US A Today, AOLNews, etc.) Please feel free to forward this or repost on any other lists that you think might be fruitful.
In other 168 Hours news:
- Welcome, readers of The Seattle Times, The Star Tribune and other papers which ran Heidi Stevens’ syndicated feature on 168 Hours! I appreciate your dropping by. Please peruse, and consider signing up for my email newsletter by sending an email to [email protected]
- Constructively Productive ran a Q&A with me about managing our time, and how I came to write 168 Hours.
- Good magazine features me, along with Dan Pink and Scott Belsky, in an article about productivity and getting off your rear end… (also in the print edition).
Tell me if this is what you’re looking for: in 2007 and 2008, my wife got pregnant and I lost my job. After taking stock of our liabilities and our assets (which included an irresponsibly large mortgage), I decided to go into business for myself. The result was MyTruckBuddy.com, and it’s been a hell of a ride. I have not taken a dime in loan money–I’ve built this thing from the ground up only with the money I made literally with the strength of my own back.
Check out the site, particularly the “About” page for more info. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to tell you more.
Best,
Chris
@Chris – of course! I think this will be a great story. I’ll email you. Thanks!